A SKETCH 


c 


OF  THE 

School  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy 


MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 
June  l,  1893 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 

University  of  Illinois  Urbana-Champaign  Alternates 


https://archive.org/details/sketchofschoolofOOuniv 


PILLSBURY  IIAL 


THE  SCHOOL  OF 

MINING  AND  METALLURGY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  MINNESOTA 


FACULTY 

Cyrus  Northrop,  LL.  l>., 

President. 

Frederick  S.  Jones,  B.  A., 

Professor  of  Physics. 

Christopher  W.  Haee.  M.  A., 

Dean  and  Professor  of  Geology  and  Mineralogy. 

Henry  T.  Ardley, 

Principal  of  the  School  of  Design. 

William  I\.  Appleby,  B.  A., 

Professor  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy. 

Charles  F.  Sidener,  B.  S., 

Assistant  Professor  of  Chemistry. 

James  A.  Dodge,  Ph.  D., 

Professor  of  Chemistry. 

Joel  E.  Wadsworth,  C.  E., 

Assistant  Professor  of  Civil  Engineering 

William  K.  IIoag,  C.  E., 

Professor  of  Civil  Engineering. 

William  S.  Battel,  LL.  L>., 

Lecturer  on  Mining  Law. 

George  I).  Siiepardson,  A.  M.,  M.  E., 

Professor  of  Electrical  Engineering. 

Peter  Christianson,  B.  S., 

Inslruetor  in  Assaying. 

Harry  E.  Smith,  M.  E., 

Assistant  Professor  of  Mechanical  Engineering. 

Frederick  W.  Sardeson,  M.  S., 

Instructor  in  Geology. 

John  G.  Mooke,  B.  A., 

Professor  of  German. 

Charles  F.  Bekkey  M.  S., 

Instructor  in  Mineralogy. 

John  F.  Downey,  M.  A.,  C.  E., 

Professor  of  Mathematics. 

James  M.  Tate, 

Instructor  in  Wood  Work. 

Charles  W.  Benton,  B.  A., 

Professor  of  French. 

James  H.  Gill,  B.  M.  E., 

Instructor  in  Iron  Work. 

15) 


MANUAL  TRAINING  educates  the  eye  and  hand , and  puts  them  under  firm  control. 

The  offspring  of  manual  training  is  the  skilled  artisan. 

SCIENTIFIC  EDUCATION  trains  a man  to  investigate  certain  principles  for  the  sake  of  knowledge,  with- 
out applying  them  to  any  particular  work. 

Science  teaches  one  to  know. 

TECHNICAL  EDUCATION  trains  a person  in  those  arts  and  sciences  which  underlie  the  principles  of 
trades  and  professions.  Technical  schools  develop  engineers. 

An  Engineer  is  both  a scientific  and  a practical  man. 

A SCHOOL  OF  MINING  AND  METALLURGY  develops  engineers  who  bring  from  the  earth  its  mineral 
treasures  and  prepare  the  same  for  the  use  of  mankind.  The  product  of  their  labors  is  a real 
contribution  to  the  world's  wealth. 

Where  there  is  no  systematic  and  scientific  Alining  and  Metallurgy  civilization  stands  still. 


(«> 


OFFICE  AND  READING  ROOM. 


The  organization  of  the  School  of  Mining  and 
Metallurgy  dates  back  six  years,  when  the  general 
faculty  of  the  University  recommended  its  establish- 
ment to  the  board  of  regents.  The  unparalleled 
development  of  the  University  along  those  lines 
of  work  already  established  prevented  the  board 
from  taking  such  action  as  they  desired  until  the 
Legislature  two  years  ago  voted  an  appropriation 
for  establishing  and  equipping  the  School,  and  an 
annual  appropriation  for  the  payment  of  salaries. 

The  School  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy  was  form- 
ally opened  in  January,  1892.  The  fact  that  this 
technical  school  is  a part  of  the  Universit\'  of  Min- 
nesota prevented  any  delay  in  the  process  of  organi- 
zation. No  new  courses  had  to  be  established  or 
equipped  to  prepare  the  student  in  those  studies  that 
lead  to  the  technical  lines.  The  existing  work  in 
modern  languages,  mathematics,  drawing,  physics, 


civil,  mechanical  and  electrical  engineering,  chem- 
istry, mineralogy  and  geology  required  only  that 
amount  of  adjustment  which  was  necessary  to  meet 
the  special  requirements  of  the  courses  in  assaying 
ore  testing,  metallurgy,  etc. 

The  object  of  a School  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy 
is  to  give  a man  training  towards  accuracy  in  meth- 
ods and  close  economy  in  working,  wherever  ores 
are  to  be  mined  and  metals  extracted  from  them. 
The  sharp  competition  invariably  connected  with 
the  working  of  every  mining  district  renders  such 
accuracy  and  economy  the  necessary  condition  of 
success  for  the  man  himself,  the  wage  earner  em- 
ployed, and  the  capital  invested. 

The  various  technical  subjects  are  presented  to 
the  student  in  a thorough,  practical  manner,  and 
give  him  the  opportunity  of  following  in  detail  the 
various  operations  from  the  determination  of  the 


value  of  the  ore  to  the  shipment  of  the  finished  pro- 
duct. 

It  is  the  object  of  the  school  to  combine  theo- 
retical and  practical  work.  The  various  principles 
laid  down  in  lectures  and  text  books  as  far  as  pos- 
sible are  carried  out  and  the  results  noted  in  the 
laboratory.  The  subjects  that  offer  the  broadest 
field  for  laboratory  work  are  assa3ring  and  ore 
testing.  Study  of  a practical  nature  in  these  lines  is 
of  the  greatest  importance  and  value.  In  this  par- 
ticular the  School  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy  is  es- 
pecially well  prepared,  and  affords  great  opportunity 
for  thorough  work. 

The  following  arrangement  of  the  general  sub- 
jects  is  made  as  far  as  possible  in  natural  order: 

I  Assaying ; 

II  Mining  engineering; 


III  Ore  testing; 

IV  Ore  dressing; 

V  Metallurgy. 

It  should  be  noted  how  closely  these  various 
branches  are  connected  and  how  naturally  one  leads 
to  the  other. 


I 

ASSAYING  — to  determine  if  the  ore  has  value 
for  treatment. 

Upon  the  discovery  of  a mineral  deposit  the  first 
question  that  is  asked  is.  Has  the  ore  anv  value? 
This  is  generally  answered  bv  the  assayer,  who,  with 
his  various  re-agents  and  suitable  appliances,  on  a 
small  scale  is  able  to  reduce  the  metal  from  an  ore  and 
give  a definite  statement  of  the  value  of  the  sample. 
In  order  to  prepare  the  students  to  answer  such  an 


CRUSHING  PLANT. 


important  question,  it  is  necessary  to  have  them 
become  intimately  acquainted  with  various  ores 
from  well  known  localities  and  handle  them  in  the 
same  manner  that  any  assaver  would  in  the  field. 

In  order  to  work  the  sample  by  the  fire  method, 
it  must  first  be  prepared  by  crushing,  pulverizing  and 
sampling;  second,  weighed;  third,  treated  in  the 
furnace  room;  and  fourth,  in  the  ease  of  gold  and 
silver,  the  beads  weighed  and  calculated. 

1 .  The  preparation  of  ore  is  effected  by  a Forster 
crusher,  Fraser  & Chalmers  sample  pulverizer,  and 
Bridgeman  ore  sampler.  The  machines  are  run  by  an 
electric  motor  supplied  with  electricity  by  the  depart- 
ment of  electrical  engineering.  On  large  samples 
much  time  is  thereby  saved,  which  means  more  time 
to  the  student  for  extended  or  advanced  work  in 
special  lines.  Sufficient  hand  preparation  of  the 
sample  is  given  the  student  to  permit  him  to  become 


acquainted  with  such  work  as  must  be  done  when 
the  above  conveniences  are  not  at  hand. 

2.  Weighing  the  sample  and  re  agents.  This 
operation  is  conducted  in  a room  20  feet  by  36 
feet,  which  is  entirely  apart  from  the  furnace  room. 
In  this  laboratory  are  desks,  supplied  with  necessar\' 
re-agents,  pulp  balances  and  all  smaller  apparatus 
incidental  to  charging  the  crucible  and  treating 
the  resulting  bead.  The  separation  of  the  labora- 
tory from  the  furnace  room  is  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance to  the  student,  as  he  is  thereby  enabled  to 
pursue  the  preliminary  work  in  a well  ventilated 
room,  in  lower  temperature  and  under  better  con- 
ditions for  doing  careful  and  thorough  work. 

3.  Furnace  room.  After  the  sample  has  been 
placed  in  suitable  vessels  for  fusion,  it  is  taken  to 
the  furnace  room,  which  communicates  directly  with 
the  laboratory.  This  room  is  well  equipped  with 


crucible  and  muffle  furnaces  and  all  the  appurten- 
ances necessary  for  carrying  on  the  reduction  of  the 
metals  from  their  ores  by  fire  methods.  The  room  is 
well  lighted  and  ventilated,  and  occupies  a space  24 
feet  by  50  feet. 

4.  Balance  room.  In  this  room  are  various 
balances  for  accurately  weighing  the  gold  and  silver 
beads,  and  bullion.  This  room,  20  feet  by  25  feet, 
is  away  from  the  fumes  of  the  laboratory  and 
heat  of  the  furnace  room,  and  permits  of  keeping  in 
the  very  best  condition  the  delicate  instruments 
which  are  required  for  this  work. 

Ores  of  various  metals  of  known  value  are  given 
to  students,  who  are  required  to  make  tq)  the  neces- 
sary charges  and  submit  their  report  in  detail.  Dif- 
ferent methods  are  tried  and  comparisons  made. 
The  lectures  treat  of  and  describe  the  apparatus,  re- 
agents, assay  furnaces,  fuels,  etc.,  in  connection  with 


( 


the  subject.  Illustrative  material  in  abundance  is 
at  hand  to  impress  the  various  points  referred  to  in 
the  lectures. 

II 

AIINING  ENGINEERING  — to  furnish  material 
lor  treatment. 

The  work  in  Mining  consists  of  lectures  and  reci- 
tations, covering  the  various  ways  and  means  bv 
which  minerals  and  ores  are  extracted  from  theearth, 
also  the  entire  field  of  operation  for  the  economical 
and  scientific  exploration  and  production  of  minerals 
and  ores  of  commercial  value.  As  the  object  of  this 
work  is  to  give  the  student  a practical  idea  of  the 
way  in  which  mining  operations  are  conducted  in 
the  field,  excursions  are  planned  at  suitable  times  to 
points  of  interest  where  the  subject  is  carefully  stud- 
ied and  valuable  notes  are  obtained. 


CORNER  IN  THE  FURNACE  ROOM 


Ill 


ORE  TESTING  — to  determine  the  best  method 
of  treatment. 

Ever  since  mining  has  been  carried  on  in  a scien- 
tific way  and  metallurgical  work  has  reached  a high 
state  of  perfection  in  this  country,  ore  testing  works 
have  been  an  important  factor  in  the  life  of  mining 
and  metallurgical  projects.  The  object  of  an  ore  test- 
ing works  is  to  determine  the  best  method  of  treating 
a given  ore  so  as  to  yield  the  largest  percentage  of 
the  metal  it  contains  at  the  least  possible  cost.  How 
many  mining  companies,  after  expending  thousands 
of  dollars,  have  been  compelled  to  tear  down  their 
plant  and  erect  a new  one,  simply  because  a sharp 
mining  machinery  concern  or  superintendent  has 
forced  upon  them  machinery  totally  unfitted  for  the 
required  work.  Through  the  testing  works  unex- 


plained losses  in  plants  already  erected  can  be  invest- 
igated. 

As  the  funds  appropriated  by  the  Legislature 
for  the  establishment  of  such  an  ore  testing  works 
at  the  University  were  sufficient  to  purchase  only 
the  machinery,  and  owing  to  the  fact  that  over 
$100,000,000  were  capitalized  in  mining  and  met- 
allurgical projects  alone  in  the  city  of  Minneap- 
olis, an  appeal  was  made  to  the  business  men  of 
this  city  to  enlist  their  interest.  A general  and 
hearty  response  was  met,  and  owing  to  their  gener- 
osity over  $5,000  have  been  subscribed  for  the  erec- 
tion of  the  building  desired.  This  building  is  to  be  of 
stone  and  will  be  located  on  the  campus.  The  works 
will  contain  all  the  machinery  neeessai'y  to  illustrate 
the  various  processes  of  testing  ores.  Already  de- 
tailed specifications,  plans  and  estimates  are  being 
considered.  The  site  selected  is  on  the  bank  of  the 


Mississippi  river  between  the  Great  Northern  and 
Northern  Pacific  railroads.  The  present  unparal- 
leled development  of  mining  industries  in  Minnesota, 
the  neighboring  states  and  Ontario,  makes  it  neces- 
sary that  there  should  be  some  convenient  place 
where  ores  can  be  tested,  their  value  determined,  and 
the  best  method  of  treatment  recommended.  The 
building  will  be  begun  this  summer  and  completed 
without  delay. 

Aside  from  the  commercial  consideration  of  the 
ore  testing  works,  a grand  opportunity  will  be 
offered  students  to  follow  the  various  processes  of 
testing  ores.  At  suitable  times  in  their  course  they 
will  be  given  a sufficiently  large  amount  of  ore  to 
make  the  necessary  tests  upon  the  different  machines 
and  report  the  best  method  of  treatment. 


IV 

ORE  DRESSING  — ore  testing  carried  into  prac- 
tice on  a large  commercial  scale,  furnishing  pro- 
ducts for  metallurgical  treatment. 

The  work  in  ore  dressing  will  be  covered  by  a 
series  of  lectures,  consisting  of  a minute  description 
of  the  various  methods  and  treatments  with  many 
drawings  of  the  principal  ore  dressing  establishments 
in  this  country.  Visits  to  ore  dressing  works,  when 
circumstances  will  permit,  will  be  made. 

V 

METALLURGY—  smelting  and  refining  or  ores 
and  ore  dressing  products.  Reduction  to  metals. 

Representative  ores  of  the  most  important  met- 
als, drawings  of  furnaces  and  models,  and  samples 


(18) 


VIEW  OE  THE  LABORATORY 


of  different  furnace  products  will  illustrate  the  lec- 
tures covering  in  detail  all  the  principal  methods  now 
in  use.  Visiting  smelting  and  refining  works  that  are 
accessible  will  constitute  an  important  part  of  the 
course. 


Surrounded  on  all  sides  by  and  within  reasonable 
distance  of  the  leading  mining  and  metallurgical 


localities  of  this  country  and  within  touch  of  the 
business  activity,  culture  and  broadening  influences 
of  a large  city,  the  school  of  Mining  and  Metallurgy 
of  Minnesota  offers  unusual  opportunities  to  stu- 
dents. It  is  meeting  a need  long  felt  in  this  state, 
and  attracts  the  attention  of  everyone  whose  inter- 
ests are  in  any  way  connected  with  mining  and  met- 
allurgical enterprises. 


> 


BALANCE  KOOM 


STUDIES 

PURSUED  IN  THE  SCHOOL  OF  MINING  AND  METALLURGY 

KM  AN  ANI)  FRENCH 

Algebra,  Trigonometry,  Analytical  Geometry,  Calculus 


Carpentry 

and  Physics 

I (rawing  — Freehand  and  Mechanical 


Mechanics 

Surveying  and  Topography 

Steam  Engines  and  Motors,  Machine  Design 


Thermodynamics 

Materials  of  Engineering 

Electrical  Measurements,  Generators  and  Motors 

Mineralogy  and  Geology 

Geological  I ’roblems 

Assaying  and  Chemistry 

Mining  and  Ore  Testing 

Metallurgy 

Technical  Essays 


Special  Problems  in  the  Professional  Lines 


Thesis 


CALENDAR  1893-94 


September  5,  Entrance  Examinations. 

September  11,  Registration  Day. 

December  4,  Registration  Day  for  Second  Term. 

December  23,  Holiday  Recess  begins. 

January  9,  Work  resumed. 

March  12,  Registration  Day  for  Third  Term. 

COMMENCEMENT  WEEK. 

June  3,  Baccalaureate  Sunday. 

June  8,  Summer  Vacation  begins. 

The  year  1894-95  will  begin  September  4,  1894. 


(26) 


ORE  AND  STOCK  ROOM. 


A I.KCTCTRK  ROOM. 


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jp 

l; 

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ORE  TESTING  WORKS. 


3 0112  1058454 


